Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, known as rTMS, is an evidence-based treatment option for people who have tried medication and psychotherapy for depression without lasting relief. At Deakin Private Hospital in Canberra, rTMS is incorporated into a broader, psychiatrist-led treatment plan rather than delivered as a standalone quick fix.
In short: rTMS is a non-invasive, Medicare-supported treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate the areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. A course typically runs five days a week for around four weeks, requires no anaesthesia or overnight stay for outpatients, and is available at Deakin Private Hospital under the care of a psychiatrist following a referral from your GP or specialist.
rTMS stands for repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. It is a non-invasive treatment for depression, including treatment-resistant depression, that uses magnetic pulses applied directly to the scalp. Because it does not require sedation, patients remain awake and alert throughout each session and, if attending as an outpatient, can drive themselves home afterwards.
During a session, a magnetic coil is positioned against the scalp over a specific area of the brain associated with mood regulation. The coil delivers targeted magnetic pulses that create small electrical currents in the surrounding brain tissue. Before your first full session, your treating team will run a calibration process, usually by stimulating the area of the brain that controls hand movement, to work out the right intensity setting for your individual treatment.
Treatment-resistant depression generally refers to depression that has not improved despite trying two or more antidepressant medications at an adequate dose and duration. It is more common than many people realise, and it is one of the main reasons a psychiatrist may raise rTMS, or later, other advanced therapies, as part of an ongoing treatment conversation.
Individual sessions typically run for between 20 and 45 minutes. A full course is usually delivered five days a week, Monday to Friday, over approximately four weeks. Outpatients attend for their session and return home the same day, while patients already admitted to Deakin Private Hospital can receive rTMS as part of their inpatient program. Most people describe the sensation as a tapping feeling on the scalp; it can feel unusual to begin with, but the majority of patients adjust within the first few sessions.
rTMS is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects are a tapping sensation during treatment and mild tension or aching around the head and neck, which affects roughly 5 in 100 people and usually settles with a standard over-the-counter pain reliever. Some patients notice a temporary change in hearing from the coil noise, which is why earplugs are offered during sessions. Serious risks are rare: seizure occurs in approximately 1 in 30,000 treatment sessions, and there is a small increased risk of a manic episode in people with a history of bipolar disorder. Fainting can occur, and anyone with metal implants near the head should discuss this with their treating team beforehand due to a risk of localised heating.
A referral from your GP or psychiatrist is required, and rTMS is available to both inpatients and outpatients under the care of a psychiatrist at Deakin Private Hospital. rTMS is not recommended for people with a history of epilepsy or seizures, metal implants or a pacemaker in or near the head, serious cardiac conditions, elevated pressure within the skull, active neurological conditions such as a recent stroke, or those who are pregnant, in alcohol or substance withdrawal, or under the age of 18.
Your journey typically starts with a referral to a psychiatrist with admitting rights at Deakin Private Hospital, followed by an assessment to confirm rTMS is a suitable option for your presentation and history. A calibration session establishes your individual treatment settings, and your course of daily sessions is then scheduled around your circumstances, whether you are attending as an outpatient or as part of an inpatient admission. Your psychiatrist will review your progress regularly throughout the course.
Does rTMS hurt?
Most people describe a tapping or knocking sensation rather than pain, though it can feel odd for the first session or two.
How many sessions will I need?
A standard course runs five days a week for around four weeks, though your psychiatrist will confirm the exact plan based on your response to treatment.
Is rTMS Medicare-supported?
Yes, rTMS at Deakin Private Hospital is delivered as a Medicare-supported treatment for eligible patients under the care of a psychiatrist; ask our Admissions Team about your specific eligibility.
Can I keep working while having rTMS?
Many outpatients continue work and daily activities around their session schedule, since no sedation is involved and you can drive yourself home afterwards.
If standard treatment for depression has not given you lasting relief, rTMS may be worth raising with your GP or psychiatrist. To find out more about rTMS at Deakin Private Hospital or to ask about a referral, contact our Admissions Team on 1800 961 391 or by email at dkn.admissions@imh.com.au.
